Olympic Thrills: Cortina's Controversial Sliding Track Unveiled

Olympic athletes tested Cortina d'Ampezzo's new sliding centre for the Winter Games. Rebuilt at 118 million euros, it will host bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge events. Despite tight deadlines, Italian officials ensured completion, providing a venue upgrade from the 1920s. Athletes from 12 nations participated in pre-homologation testing.

A group of Olympic athletes tested the capabilities of the newly rebuilt sliding centre at Cortina d'Ampezzo, the primary site for next year's Winter Games.

The facility, constructed at a staggering cost of 118 million euros, is set to stage the bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge events from February 6-22.

Despite initial doubts and a tight construction timeline, the Italian government succeeded in readying the venue on schedule, replacing a center that dates back to the 1920s.

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini emphasized the achievement as a testament to Italy's capabilities.

With athletes, including Italian Dominik Fischnaller and Austrian Lisa Schulte, the facility is undergoing pre-homologation testing to ensure its readiness for the international event.

The sliding centre serves as a symbol of national pride and a demonstration of Italy's staging prowess for the upcoming international spectacle.

(With inputs from agencies.)